Article carrier having variably positionable cross-rail bracket

ABSTRACT

A bracket which is transversely positionable along a cross-rail is disclosed. The bracket surrounds the cross-rail in a slidable manner and has an opening integral therewith to threadingly receive a tie-down strap. The positionable bracket is releasably lockable to the cross-rail for securing articles such as luggage straps to the cross-rail.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 24,994, filed Mar. 29,1979.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a transversely positionable cross-railmounted bracket for article carriers. More particularly, the presentinvention pertains to a transversely positionable bracket which isslidable along a cross-rail for vehicle related article carriers. Evenmore particularly the present invention concerns a transverselypositionable bracket movable along a transverse cross-rail for vehicleassociated article carriers for supporting articles such as luggage,skis and other articles and having a locking means that is used tosecure the transversely positionable bracket to the cross-rail.

II. Prior Art

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,335, issued Jan. 2, 1979, the disclosure of whichis included by reference, there is disclosed a vehicle associatedarticle carrier, such as a luggage rack, ski rack, or the like whichincorporates certain slidably adjustable brackets therewithin. Accordingto the application the brackets are variably positionable along thelength of a slotted track formed in an associated slat of the articlecarrier.

The brackets of the copending application, generally, comprise an uppersection which is disposed above the slat, a lower section which isengageable with the track and slidable therewithin and means for urginga member into locking engagement with a wall of the track. A loop orother opening is provided on the upper section of the bracket to providea mode of attachment thereto of a tie-down strap for securing articlesto the article carrier. The transverse position of the attachment forthe tie-down strap is fixed in the aforesaid application rendering itsometimes difficult to secure articles such as skis and bicycles to thetop of the vehicle. The present invention as will be subsequentlydetailed, seeks to overcome this problem.

STATEMENT OF RELEVANT ART

To the best of applicant's knowledge, the following is believed to bethe prior art most closely related to the present invention: U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,677,451; 2,753,095; 3,375,365; 3,902,641; 3,165,353; 2,914,231;3,064,868; 2,628,123; 3,988,253; 2,499,136; 2,783,367; 3,719,313;3,828,993; 3,468,460; as well as the letters patent hereinabove referredto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As contemplated in the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, across-rail is secured between a pair of oppositely disposedrail-receiving brackets and a pair of transversely movable cross-railbrackets surrounding the cross-rail are disposed between the brackets. Aloop formed with each cross-rail bracket allows a tie-down strap to bethreaded therethrough to secure articles such as skis, bicycles,luggage, and the like to the cross-rail.

The transversely positionable cross-rail bracket hereof generallycomprises:

(a) means for variably, adjustably positioning the bracket along across-rail provided on an article carrier,

(b) an upper section interconnected to the positioning means,incorporating means for detachably securing a tie-down strap thereto,and

(c) means for releasably locking the tie-down bracket to the cross-rail.

As contemplated by the practice of the present invention, the railreceiving bracket is slidingly, adjustably disposed in a track orchannel formed in a vehicle related slat. The rail-receiving bracketincorporates a projection, either male or female, to which is detachablymounted an article carrier cross-rail. The transversely movablecross-rail bracket surrounds the cross-rail and is releasably lockablethereto.

The rail-receiving bracket has a locking means which, preferably,includes a wedge secured to a rotatable disc which extends through thepositioning means. The disc is rotatable and is, optionally, ratchetedto prevent accidental loosening. As the disc is rotated in a firstdirection the wedge is urged into engagement with a wall of the track tolock the bracket into position. Rotation of the disc in the counter orsecond direction disengages the wedge from the track wall to permitmovement of the rail-receiving bracket.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference ismade to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. Inthe drawing, like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of a vehicular associated articlecarrier incorporating a preferred embodiment of a movable cross-railbracket in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the center of the railreceiving bracket following a transverse plane;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rail receiving bracket andthe movable cross-rail bracket showing the preferred embodiment of theinvention and a projecting male member to telescopingly engage a crossrail;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the movable cross-rail bracketand cross-strap following a longitudinal plane; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the rail receiving bracketand track-forming slot of an article carrier associated therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now, and with reference to the drawing, there is depicted therein amovable cross-rail bracket 16 in accordance with the present inventionas well as an article carrier 12 incorporating a movable rail-receivingbracket 17 and a cross-rail 74 for support of the movable cross-railbracket 16. The cross-rail bracket 16 hereof, is movable transverselyalong the cross-rail and releasably lockable in any desired positiontherealong.

The cross-rail bracket 16 hereof, generally, comprises:

(a) a main body section surrounding the cross-rail and movabletherealong; and

(b) means for releasably locking the section to the cross-rail.

The present invention further comprises means for detachably mounting anarticle carrier tie-down strap to the cross-rail bracket.

Furthermore, and at the outset, it should be noted that, as used hereinand in the appended claims, the term "article carrier" contemplates aluggage rack, ski rack, or similar type of vehicle-related or associateddevice. As is known to the skilled artisan, such devices, ordinarily,contemplate a plurality of spaced apart slats which support a load orarticle disposed thereon. Such devices, also, adopt and incorporate siderails, and stationary and/or movable cross-straps where appropriate. Ifrequired, stanchions are utilized to support the side rails andstationary cross-rails when employed. The article carriers are, usually,mounted to either the vehicle roof or trunk lid or deck. In the practicehereof, it is to be understood that the present invention is applicableto all such article carriers so long as the carrier, per se, can receivethe movable cross-rail bracket as detailed subsequently.

Referring again to the drawing, the main body section or portion of thebracket 16 surrounds or envelopes the cross-rail 74 in a slidablemanner. The main body section has a central opening configuredsubstantially akin to and is slightly larger than the rail 74. Thisenables the bracket 16 to slide along the rail 74. The bracket 16 has aloop 80 formed above the main body section. The loop is adapted tothreadingly receive a tie-down strap 82. The tie-down strap 82 isfoldable back on itself through the loop 80 as shown in FIG. 3.Alternatively, the tie-down strap 82 can be attached to the loop 80 byany suitable means including rivets, threaded fasteners, adhesivebonding or the like. The loop 80 defines means for detachably mounting atie-down strap to the bracket 16.

It is to be perceived that an article, such as a bicycle, luggage or thelike can be placed upon the carrier 12, and tied down with the straps 82which are threaded through the openings provided in the cross-railbrackets 16. The brackets 16 are adjustably positionable by sliding samealong the cross-rail 74.

An aperture 76 is formed through the main body section of the bracket16. A fastener, such as a screw 78 is insertable through the aperture 76to secure the bracket against the cross rail 74. This prevents movementof the bracket.

As shown in the drawing the cross-rail 74 has a generally streamlinedcross section to minimize wind resistance and drag when the vehicle isunderway. A channel 96 is formed in the center of the cross-rail 74along its length. The channel 96 has outwardly sloping sides 98 makingthe bottom of the channel 96 wider than the top. A rub strip 100 isconfigured to be insertable into the channel 96 and snugly retainedtherein. The rub strip 100 has an arcuate upper surface projecting abovethe cross-rail to provide a surface to rest articles upon. The rub strip100 is made of a resilient material such as rubber to provide anon-slip, scratch resistant, and non-abrasive surface against whicharticles to be retained by the carrier 12 can rest. The rub strip 100has a pair of downward projecting legs 102 spaced apart by a recess 104.The legs 102 project downward and outward, the outward spacing acrossthe legs exceeding the dimension created by the outward sloping sides 98of the channel 96. The resiliency of the rub strip material allows thelegs 102 to be squeezed together partially filling the recess 104 andallowing the rub strip 100 to be easily inserted into the channel 96.The outward sloping sides 98 and the outward sloping legs 102 cooperateto hold the rub strip 100 in the channel 96 in a removable manner. Ifthe rub strip should be scuffed, cut, or otherwise damaged it can bereadily removed and replaced without removing the cross-rail. Heretoforerub strips were mounted to slats and rails with lock seam arrangements.The cooperation between the legs 102 and the walls 98 obviates the needfor the lock seam. In the previously used configuration, the rub stripwas only insertable and removable from the end of the cross-rail. Thisrequires removing the cross-rail from the bracket to remove or installthe rub strip.

The cross-rail hereof can be formed of extruded aluminum, rolled sheetmetal, or stamped sheet metal, or moulded reinforced plastic.

Referring again to the drawings, the article carrier depicted in FIG. 1comprises a plurality of slats 14. The slats 14 are longitudinallyextending members which are affixed to the vehicle body by any suitablemode, such as threaded fasteners (not shown) or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article carrier12 comprises at least one slat 14 adapted to receive a transverselymovable tie-down bracket 17 of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,132,335. As disclosed in the patent, the slat 14 generally, comprises(FIG. 5) a member 20 having a substantially planar lower surface 18. Thesurface 18 is designed to be contiguous with the vehicle body whenaffixed thereto. The upper surface 24 of the slat 14 is provided withbracket-receiving means 26, such as a channel 28. The channel or track28, in a preferred embodiment, includes a longitudinal slot 30 formedsubstantially along the extent of the upper surface and is formeddownwardly therefrom. The slot 30 is in registry with and opens up intoan enlarged guidepath 32. The guidepath is coextensive with the slot 28.The guidepath 32 includes a bottom wall 34 which defines a seat for arail receiving bracket 17 in a manner to be described subsequently. Thejunction between the slot 30 and the guidepath 32 is defined by a pairof opposed inwardly directed shoulders 36, 38 respectively. The wall 34and the shoulders 36, 38 cooperate to retain the rail-receiving bracket17 in a fixed position when the rail receiving bracket is placed in alocked position.

The slat 14 can comprise, a formed sheet metal member, a solid or hollowinterior extrusion or the like, as desired. The criticality to beattached to the slat is that it be provided with the longitudinallyextending channel 28. Also, the slat 14, further, may comprise means 40for limiting the longitudinal movement of the movable bracket 17 in thetrack 28. The stop means 40 can comprise an end cap 41 journalled ontoone end of the slat 14 or an obstruction such as an oval head screw 42can be disposed in the channel 28, as shown. The obstruction disruptsthe path of travel of the bracket to prevent passage therepast.

As heretofore noted, the slat 14 receives the rail receiving bracket 17.The rail-receiving bracket 17 (FIG. 5) comprises (a) a base section 42for adjustably positioning the rail receiving bracket along the extentof the track 28, (b) an upper section 44 integral with the base, theupper section comprising means 46 for receiving the cross-rail 74, and(c) means for releasably locking the rail receiving bracket in position.The rail receiving bracket 17 hereof may, also, comprise means 50 fordetachably mounting an article carrier tie-down strap 110 thereto.

With more particularity, the base section 42 is slidably movable in thetrack 28. The base may have any desired configuration by which it mayslide in the track. Preferably, though, the base section is configuredanalogously to the track 28. This enables the lower body 54 to be slid,with facility, along the length of the guidepath.

A shank 56 projects upwardly from the lower body 54 and is integrallyformed therewith. The shank 56 is disposed substantially perpendicularto the lower body 54 and centrally thereof. The shank 56 is coextensivewith the lower body 54 along the longitudinal extent thereof. The shank56 has a width slightly less than that of the slot 30 and projectsthereabove, as shown in FIG. 2.

The upper section 44 is integrally formed with the base section 42 andis united therewith at the junction of the shank 56 with the lower endof the upper section 44. The upper section is substantially equal inlength to the base 42. As shown in the drawing, the upper section has anirregular configuration and comprises means, generally, denoted at 46for receiving a cross-strap.

More specifically, the upper section includes a lower end 58. The lowerend 58 is configured analogously to that of the upper surface of theslat 14. This is done for load bearing distribution over the entirewidth of the slat. Upstanding from the lower end are a pair of opposed,wide walls 60, 62 respectively, and a pair of opposed end walls 64, 66respectively. The side walls and end walls are integrally formed todefine a unitary structure for the upper section. A top wall 68 enclosesthe structure. Of course, the upper section can be a completely enclosedstructure, or may exclude a single open-end member or the like.

In the structure shown in the drawing the side wall 62 has a frontalopening 70 formed therein which extends transversely through the uppersection. A ledge 72 extends between the end walls and is disposedparallel to the top wall 68 of the upper section for purposes ofenclosing the frontal opening 70.

The means 46 comprises a projection extending laterally from the topwall 68 and having a central opening 73 formed therein. The opening 73is an elongated slot or the like which closely conforms to the crosssection of the cross-rail 74. The cross-rail 74 is snugly received bythe opening 72 by inserting an end of the rail 74 thereinto. Inassembling an article carrier, the rail 74 is supported between a pairof opposed rail receiving brackets 17.

Alternately, the rail can be telescoped over a projection 51 whichextends from the rail-receiving bracket as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thecross-rail 74 has a hollow end which snugly surrounds the projection 51,and an aperture 57 in the rail near its end is aligned with a threadedaperture 53 in the projection 51. A threaded fastener 55 passing throughthe aperture in the rail and engaging the threaded aperture 53, securesthe cross-rail 74 to the projection 51.

Referring, again, to the drawing, as heretofore noted, in order to setthe bracket in any position along the length of the associated track,the present invention further comprises means for releasably locking therail receiving bracket 17 in position. The locking means comprises alocking key or wedge 84 and a rotatable disc 90 threadinglyinterconnected to the key.

The key 84 is defined by a solid body 86 and a threaded shaft 88. Theshaft 88 has a threaded profile formed about the periphery thereof. Theshaft 88 is integrally formed with the solid body 86 and projectsoutwardly therefrom.

The disc 90 has a central bore 92, the internal periphery of which isprovided with a threaded profile. The threaded profile of the shaft iscomplementary to that of the periphery of the bore 92. Furthermore, thediameter of the bore 92 is substantially equal to that of the shaft.Thus, the shaft and the bore 92 cooperate to define means for threadablyinterconnecting the disc and the key.

The disc 90 contains a plurality of slits 91 projecting radially inwardfrom the outside diameter and terming a distance from the bore 92. Arecess 71 in the opening 70 snugly receives a spring detent 73. Thedetent 73 has a pair of upward projecting legs 75 which are biased intothe slits 91. The surface of the legs contacting the slits 91 curvesoutward from the slits in an arcuate manner to form a detent which isintermittently engageable as the disc rotates against the detent. Theaction of the detent prevents the unintended loosening of the bracket.

In mounting the rail receiving bracket locking means a pair ofregistering openings are utilized. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower body 54has an upwardly directed keyway 94 formed therein forming a recess. Thekeyway projects upward communicating with the frontal opening to providemeans for hand rotating the disc.

It is to be appreciated that the locking means is mounted by insertingthe key into the keyway and the disc into the frontal opening, aligningthe shaft with the disc opening and, threadably, interconnecting thedisc and the shaft by rotating the disc by hand.

It is to be readily appreciated that the means for locking the movablebracket is directly incorporated into the base section hereof. Thus, asthe disc is rotated in a first direction, the lower portion of key 86 isurged into engagement with a wall of the guidepath thereby locking thebracket in position. Rotation of the disc in the opposite directionwithdraws the lower portion from its engagement with the engaging wall.Optimally, the engaging wall is either the bottom wall of the track oreither or both sidewalls. Alternatively, the base section of the bracketcan be moved into engagement with the top wall, the base, thus,functioning as the key or wedge itself.

It is to be appreciated that there has been described herein a laterallymovable cross-rail bracket for an article carrier that can be readilylocked in any desired position along a cross-rail and that the laterallymovable tie-down bracket can be releasably locked to the cross-rail.Movement of the laterally movable cross-rail bracket along thecross-rail will vary the tension of the strap threaded through theopening in the cross-rail provided therefore.

It should be noted, also, that the article carrier hereof canincorporate load-bearing slats which detachably mount to brackets 17.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:
 1. An articlecarrier for an automotive vehicle of the type including an elongatedslat fixed to the vehicle exterior and extending longitudinally thereof,said slat having an upwardly opening guideway, a bracket having a baseportion slidably retained in said guideway, means for adjustablyclamping the bracket to the slat, the bracket having an upper portionwhich includes a cross-rail supporting section extending normally of theslat, and a cross-rail mounted upon the cross-rail supporting section,the improvement comprising:(a) the cross-rail being of generally ovalcross section wherein the maximum depth of the cross-rail issubstantially less than its width, said cross-rail includinga continuousand upwardly curving bottom surface, a downwardly curving upper surfaceand having an upwardly opening channel formed by a pair of side wallsextending downwardly from said upper surface, said downwardly extendingside walls terminating proximate the bottom surface of the cross-rail,said channel and side walls extending throughout the length of thecross-rail, (b) the cross-rail supporting section of said bracketincluding an opening being generally of the same oval cross section asthe cross-rail and adapted to telescopingly receive one end of thecross-rail.
 2. An article carrier for an automotive vehicle of the typeincluding an elongated slat fixed to the vehicle exterior and extendinglongitudinally thereof, said slat having an upwardly opening guideway, abracket having a base portion slidably retained in said guideway, meansfor adjustably clamping the bracket to the slat, the bracket having anupper portion which includes a cross-rail supporting section extendingnormally of the slat, and a cross-rail mounted upon the cross-railsupporting section, the improvement comprising:(a) the cross-rail beingof generally oval cross section wherein the maximum depth of thecross-rail is substantially less than its width, said cross-railincludinga continuous and upwardly curving bottom surface, a downwardlycurving upper surface and including an upwardly opening channel formedby a pair of side walls extending downwardly from said upper surface,said downwardly extending side walls terminating proximate the bottomsurface of the cross-rail, said channel and side walls extendingthroughout the length of the cross-rail, (b) the cross-rail supportingsection of said bracket being generally of the same oval cross sectionas the cross-rail and adapted to telescopingly receive one end of thecross-rail.